Mastering Cisco SISAS 300-208: Advanced Security Solutions

The CCNP Security SISAS 300-208 Deep Dive course is designed to provide networking professionals and security engineers with a thorough understanding of Cisco Secure Access Solutions. This course focuses on the concepts and practical implementation of secure access solutions using Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), 802.1X authentication, and Cisco TrustSec. Learners will gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience to deploy and troubleshoot ISE in lab environments and real-world enterprise networks. The course is structured to prepare students for the CCNP Security 300-208 SISAS exam and enhance their skills in network security management.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the components, architecture, and deployment models of Cisco Secure Access Solutions.
  
  

• Implement and troubleshoot Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) in both lab and production environments.
  
  

• Configure secure network access using 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB), and web authentication methods.
  
  

• Integrate ISE with Active Directory and other identity sources.
  
  

• Apply Cisco TrustSec policies to control and segment network traffic.
  
  

• Manage BYOD (Bring Your Device) solutions and posture/profiling services to enforce endpoint compliance.
  
  

• Perform installation, backup, restoration, patch management, and upgrade procedures for ISE.
  
  

Course Requirements

To succeed in this course, learners should have:

• Basic knowledge of network security concepts.
  
  

• Understanding of Cisco CCNA Security topics or equivalent experience.
  
  

• Access to VMware or similar virtualization software for hands-on labs.
  
  

• Commitment to learning and practicing lab exercises regularly.
  
  

Course Description

The Implementing Cisco Secure Access Solutions (SISAS) 300-208 exam evaluates a candidate's knowledge of secure access technologies and their ability to implement them in an enterprise network. The exam focuses on Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), endpoint access control, network segmentation using Cisco TrustSec, and BYOD solutions. This course covers all the essential concepts and provides detailed lab exercises to ensure students can implement, troubleshoot, and optimize secure access solutions.

Secure access is a critical aspect of modern enterprise networks. Unauthorized access, compromised endpoints, and security breaches can have devastating consequences. This course equips learners with the skills to design and implement a robust network access control framework, enforce security policies, and monitor user activity effectively.

Course Modules

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is a comprehensive network security policy management platform that provides secure access, endpoint compliance, and network visibility. Students will learn the architecture of ISE, its components, and how it integrates with other network devices and services. Topics include deployment models, licensing options, and solution scalability.

VMware and Server Setup for Labs

Hands-on labs are a critical component of this course. Participants will learn how to:

• Install Microsoft Server 2008 on VMware Workstation.
  
  

• Set up Active Directory on Microsoft Server 2008.
  
  

• Install and configure a Certificate Authority on Microsoft Server 2008.
  
  

• Deploy Cisco ISE on VMware with proper configuration.
  
  

• Take snapshots of virtual machines to preserve lab states.
  
  

These steps ensure learners can practice configurations in a safe and controlled environment, simulating real-world enterprise deployments.

ISE Installation and Initial Configuration

The course covers the installation of Cisco ISE versions 1.1.4, 1.4.0, and 2.0.0. Students will learn:

• How to perform initial configuration tasks.
  
  

• Register ISE nodes with certificates, including self-signed and Microsoft Certificate Authority certificates.
  
  

• Backup and restore ISE configurations.
  
  

• Install patches, perform patch rollbacks, and upgrade ISE versions without disrupting network operations.
  
  

Active Directory and LDAP Integration

A key component of secure access is integrating ISE with identity sources such as Active Directory and LDAP. Participants will learn:

• How to integrate ISE with Active Directory.
  
  

• Configure identity source sequences for user authentication.
  
  

• Use LDAP integration to manage user and group access policies.
  
  

This integration enables organizations to enforce centralized authentication and access policies efficiently.

Authentication Methods and Configuration

The course provides in-depth coverage of authentication methods, including:

• MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB) for devices without 802.1X capability.
  
  

• Dot1X authentication using MD5 and PEAP protocols.
  
  

• Dynamic VLAN assignment based on authentication results.
  
  

• Role-based access control using Dynamic Access Control Lists (DACLs).
  
  

Each configuration is paired with lab verification steps to ensure students understand practical implementation.

Web Authentication Methods

Web authentication is an essential part of secure access, especially for guest and BYOD scenarios. Students will learn:

• Wired Local Web Authentication (LWA) configuration and verification.
  
  

• Wired Central Web Authentication (CWA) configuration and verification.
  
  

• Integrating web authentication with profiling services to enforce device compliance.
  
  

These techniques allow organizations to provide secure and controlled network access to a variety of users and devices.

Cisco TrustSec and Policy Enforcement

Cisco TrustSec is a key component of network segmentation and policy enforcement. The course covers:

• Implementing TrustSec policies for secure network segmentation.
  
  

• Mapping users and devices to Security Group Tags (SGTs).
  
  

• Applying policies to control traffic flow and limit access to sensitive resources.
  
  

By the end of this module, students will be able to design and deploy network segmentation strategies to reduce the attack surface and improve security posture.

BYOD and Endpoint Compliance

Bring Your Device (BYOD) scenarios introduce complexity in network security. Learners will explore:

Posture and profiling services in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) are essential components of modern network security, allowing organizations to evaluate the health and characteristics of endpoints before granting access to the network. Posture services involve checking endpoints for compliance with predefined security policies, including the presence of antivirus software, operating system updates, firewall settings, and configuration baselines. By continuously monitoring device posture, ISE ensures that only devices meeting organizational security requirements can access the network. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of malware infections, unauthorized access, and potential data breaches, providing a secure and controlled environment for both corporate and personal devices.

Profiling services in Cisco ISE complement posture assessment by identifying and classifying endpoints based on their attributes, behavior, and network activity. Profiling allows network administrators to detect the type of device attempting to connect, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, printers, or IoT devices. This identification process uses multiple data sources, including DHCP requests, SNMP queries, HTTP headers, and RADIUS authentication attributes. Accurate profiling enables organizations to enforce tailored access policies, ensuring that each device receives appropriate network privileges. For example, a corporate laptop with up-to-date security patches can be assigned full access, while a personal smartphone may be restricted to guest or segmented network resources. Profiling also provides visibility into the types of devices present on the network, allowing administrators to make informed decisions about security policies and threat mitigation strategies.

Ensuring endpoints meet security policies before granting network access is a critical step in mitigating risk. Cisco ISE evaluates each endpoint against defined compliance rules and can enforce remediation if devices do not meet the standards. Remediation actions may include redirecting the device to a captive portal, requiring software updates, or restricting access until compliance is achieved. This approach is particularly important in bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environments, where personal devices may have varying security postures. By enforcing compliance before network access, organizations maintain a consistent security posture across all connected devices, protecting sensitive information and critical infrastructure from potential threats.

Configuring role-based access and dynamic VLAN assignment based on endpoint compliance is another powerful feature of Cisco ISE. Role-based access control (RBAC) allows network administrators to assign permissions and network privileges according to the user’s role, device type, or security posture. Dynamic VLAN assignment enables devices to be automatically placed into appropriate network segments based on their compliance status or identity. For example, an employee’s fully compliant laptop may be assigned to the corporate VLAN with access to internal servers, while a guest device is placed in a restricted VLAN with internet-only access. This dynamic segmentation enhances network security by isolating potentially risky devices and reducing the attack surface.

These techniques are critical in modern enterprise networks, where personal devices, mobile applications, and IoT devices frequently connect to corporate resources. Posture and profiling services, combined with compliance enforcement and dynamic role-based access, allow organizations to maintain a secure network environment without impeding user productivity. By implementing these measures, security teams can ensure that only authorized and compliant devices gain access to sensitive resources, minimizing security risks while supporting the flexible and mobile nature of today’s workforce.

Troubleshooting and Optimization

A significant portion of the course is dedicated to troubleshooting and optimizing ISE deployments. Participants will learn:

• How to diagnose authentication and policy issues.
  
  

• Use logs, reports, and monitoring tools for problem identification.
  
  

• Apply best practices to ensure high availability and resilience of secure access solutions.
  
  

Troubleshooting skills are vital for security engineers to maintain network integrity and ensure uninterrupted access for users.

Lab Exercises and Practical Scenarios

The course provides extensive hands-on labs covering:

Hands-on lab exercises are an essential component of mastering Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and implementing secure access solutions. The installation and configuration of ISE and Active Directory form the foundation of these exercises, enabling students to simulate real-world enterprise environments. Participants will learn how to deploy ISE on virtual machines using platforms such as VMware, configure initial settings, and integrate with Active Directory to manage user identities. This includes setting up identity sources, configuring authentication sequences, and ensuring proper communication between ISE and directory services. Understanding the installation and integration process is critical, as it forms the backbone for all subsequent secure access configurations.

Certificate registration, patching, and upgrades are also emphasized in the labs, reflecting the tasks that network engineers perform in live enterprise environments. Students will gain experience registering ISE nodes with self-signed certificates as well as Microsoft Certificate Authority certificates, ensuring secure communication between devices. Lab exercises include applying software patches, performing patch rollbacks, and upgrading ISE to newer versions without disrupting network operations. These activities teach best practices for maintaining system security and stability, and prepare learners for real-world scenarios where timely updates and certificate management are crucial to prevent vulnerabilities.

Authentication methods such as MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB), 802.1X using MD5 and PEAP, and web authentication are explored in detail. Students will configure each method, verify successful implementation, and troubleshoot potential issues. For example, MAB allows devices that do not support 802.1X to connect to the network with limited access, while Dot1X authentication provides secure port-based access for compliant devices. Web authentication methods, including Wired Local Web Authentication (LWA) and Wired Central Web Authentication (CWA), are particularly useful for guest access and BYOD scenarios. By practicing these configurations in labs, learners gain confidence in applying authentication policies to different types of devices and users.

Dynamic VLAN and DACL (Dynamic Access Control List) configuration is another key component of the labs. Students learn how to assign devices to specific VLANs based on user identity, role, or compliance status, and how to apply DACLs to enforce access restrictions dynamically. These configurations are essential for network segmentation and security, as they help isolate devices and restrict access to sensitive resources. Lab exercises include verifying VLAN assignments and DACL enforcement to ensure policies function correctly, reinforcing practical understanding of network access control principles.

BYOD scenarios and endpoint profiling are integrated into lab exercises to simulate modern enterprise environments where personal devices frequently connect to corporate networks. Students practice configuring posture assessments, profiling rules, and compliance policies to ensure that only authorized and compliant devices are granted access. By simulating these scenarios, learners understand how to manage a diverse range of devices while maintaining security standards.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is suitable for:

The CCNP Security SISAS 300-208 Deep Dive course is designed for network engineers and security professionals who are seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in enterprise network security. These professionals are typically responsible for designing, implementing, and managing secure access solutions within organizations, ensuring that sensitive data and critical resources are protected from unauthorized access. By enrolling in this course, network engineers can gain the expertise required to handle complex access control deployments, troubleshoot authentication issues, and optimize security policies using Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE). The course also prepares participants for the CCNP Security 300-208 SISAS certification exam, which validates their ability to implement secure access solutions in real-world enterprise environments.

IT professionals who are responsible for deploying, managing, and troubleshooting secure access solutions will find this course particularly beneficial. These roles often include security administrators, network administrators, systems engineers, and IT infrastructure specialists. By mastering the concepts and hands-on skills covered in this course, these professionals will be able to configure and maintain secure access frameworks, enforce endpoint compliance, and implement advanced authentication methods such as 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB), and web authentication. The course also covers role-based access control, dynamic VLAN assignment, and Cisco TrustSec policies, providing learners with the tools needed to secure network resources effectively and efficiently.

The course is also suitable for anyone interested in gaining practical knowledge of Cisco ISE and secure access technologies, even if they do not currently hold a formal IT or networking role. Security awareness and network access control are becoming essential skills in today’s digital environment, as organizations increasingly rely on a variety of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and IoT devices, to conduct business. Learning how to configure and manage ISE, enforce compliance policies, and troubleshoot access issues equips learners with valuable skills that can enhance their career prospects and provide a strong foundation for more advanced network security roles.

While no prior experience with Cisco ISE is required, it is highly recommended that participants have a basic understanding of networking concepts and familiarity with CCNA Security topics. Knowledge of networking fundamentals, such as IP addressing, VLANs, routing and switching, and basic security protocols, will help learners grasp course concepts more quickly and effectively. Additionally, understanding CCNA Security concepts, including access control, firewall policies, VPNs, and endpoint protection, will provide a solid foundation for more advanced secure access solutions. Even learners with limited prior experience in network security can succeed in this course, provided they are willing to dedicate time to understanding theoretical concepts and practicing hands-on lab exercises.

This course is ideal for professionals who are committed to continuous learning and career advancement in network security. It caters to a wide range of learners, from those seeking CCNP certification to individuals looking to acquire practical skills in secure access technologies. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and experience to implement secure access solutions, enforce compliance policies, troubleshoot authentication issues, and confidently work with Cisco ISE in enterprise networks. The combination of theoretical knowledge, practical exercises, and exam preparation makes this course an invaluable resource for anyone pursuing a career in network security.

Benefits of Completing the Course

Gaining expertise in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and secure access solutions is a critical step for any network security professional aiming to advance in the field. Cisco ISE is a comprehensive platform that allows organizations to enforce access policies, manage devices, and secure the network infrastructure. By mastering ISE, learners will understand how to design, deploy, and maintain secure access solutions, ensuring that users and devices are authenticated correctly and granted the appropriate level of access. This expertise includes configuring authentication methods such as 802.1X, MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB), and web-based authentication, as well as applying dynamic VLAN and role-based policies to optimize security posture. Professionals will also gain insight into integrating ISE with external identity sources such as Active Directory or LDAP, allowing for centralized user management and seamless access control across the organization.

Being fully prepared for the CCNP Security 300-208 SISAS exam requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This course equips learners with both, ensuring they are confident in the concepts and able to apply them in real-world scenarios. The exam evaluates knowledge of ISE architecture, Cisco TrustSec, BYOD management, endpoint compliance, and threat mitigation strategies. By engaging with the course content and practicing lab exercises, students will be able to navigate complex network access configurations, troubleshoot authentication failures, and implement secure access policies effectively. Preparation for the exam not only validates professional skills but also signals to employers that the candidate is capable of handling enterprise-level security challenges.

Developing hands-on experience through extensive lab exercises is a cornerstone of this learning journey. Labs are designed to simulate real-world enterprise networks, allowing learners to deploy ISE in virtual environments, configure authentication methods, manage certificates, and perform upgrades and patches. These exercises reinforce theoretical knowledge and provide the practical skills necessary to troubleshoot issues such as misconfigured policies, failed authentications, and network access errors. Hands-on practice also enhances problem-solving abilities, enabling learners to respond effectively to unexpected scenarios in live environments. By the end of the course, participants will be proficient in managing ISE and implementing secure access solutions with confidence.

Acquiring skills to implement and troubleshoot secure access in enterprise environments is invaluable for IT professionals. Organizations rely heavily on robust network security to protect sensitive data, maintain compliance, and ensure uninterrupted access for users. Professionals trained in secure access solutions can design access policies tailored to organizational needs, enforce endpoint compliance, and segment networks to reduce the risk of breaches. Troubleshooting skills are equally important, as they allow security engineers to quickly identify and resolve authentication or policy issues, ensuring network reliability and protecting critical resources. Mastery of these skills positions professionals as essential contributors to organizational security strategy.

Enhancing career opportunities in network security and IT infrastructure management is a natural outcome of completing this course. Cisco ISE expertise and CCNP Security certification are highly sought-after credentials in the IT industry. Professionals who can implement, manage, and troubleshoot secure access solutions are in demand across enterprises, service providers, and government organizations. These skills open doors to roles such as network security engineer, security analyst, IT infrastructure manager, and consultant, often accompanied by higher salaries and greater responsibility. Furthermore, the knowledge gained in this course provides a solid foundation for advanced certifications and continued career growth in cybersecurity and network management, ensuring long-term professional success and industry recognition.